Overview
This foundational overnight trip is the perfect starting line for anyone who has never spent a night in the woods. You will hike a manageable loop to the large rock overlooks at John Rock, where you will learn to pitch a tent and cook a hot meal on a trail stove. The focus is entirely on education and enjoyment, ensuring you walk away with the skills to plan your own local backpacking trips in the future.
Highlights
Skill-First Itinerary: Hands-on training in camp setup, water filtration, and backcountry cooking with professional-grade gear.
John Rock Overlook: A scenic hike to a massive granite dome with expansive views of Looking Glass Rock and the surrounding forest.
Ultralight Gear Testing: Use of a 60L pack, 20-degree sleeping bag, and lightweight tent to see how modern gear feels on the trail.
Pre-Trip Support: Includes a group Zoom call to answer all your gear questions and help you pack correctly before we meet.
Meet your guide
Eli Adams
Hiking & Backpacking Guide for Blue Ridge Hiking Company in Asheville, NC
Originally from South Florida, Eli is a former kayak guide who traded the Gulf Coast for the Appalachian Mountains. With four years as a mountain guide, she spends her free time foraging and studying Appalachian ecosystems while running a local hiking club that partners with WNC conservation non-profits. If you are looking for an energetic guide with a keen eye for flora and forest lore, Eli is your guide! To further outdoor inclusivity, she is currently re-learning her first language and hopes to begin guiding Spanish-speaking groups within the next year.
Total Mileage:
6-9 Miles
Transportation Included?
Yes: Once we meet at Sycamore Flats, we provide transportation to and from the nearby trailhead.
Tendency for Break
Frequent: We stop often to catch our breath, adjust gear, and take in the view.
Duration:
2 Days / 1 Night: This is a true overnight trip.
Strenuous Level:
This is a gentle introduction to the trail with short walking distances and very little climbing, so we can focus more on camp skills than on heavy hiking.
Pace:
Steady but Simple: We maintain a consistent rhythm on the trail that allows for plenty of water breaks and snacks whenever the group needs them.
Max Group Size:
8 Hikers
Minimum Age:
18+
Experienced Needed?
No prior camping experience is needed because we will teach you every skill from the ground up once we hit the trail.
This experience is perfect for:
Absolute beginners, families with younger hikers, and anyone who wants a "low-stakes" introduction to the backcountry. No previous backpacking experience is required or expected.
What's Included:
Hands-on instruction from a team that teaches you to filter water and cook outside.
An ultralight 60L pack, tent, 20-degree sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.
All your trail food, snacks, water filters, and cooking equipment.
All permits and a group Zoom call to go over your gear before the trip.
What's Not Included:
Personal clothing, such as hiking boots and moisture-wicking layers.
Small personal items, toiletries, and medications.
Gratuities for the professional guiding team.
Cancellation Policy:
You may reschedule your trip once for free at least a month in advance, and while we offer a refund minus a 15% admin fee for cancellations made more than a month out or a 50% refund within that month, we cannot offer refunds within one week of the trip and suggest travel insurance to cover any unexpected personal changes.
Get on the trail!
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